First Year FAQs
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Orientation 1. When do my parents have to leave campus? Can they stay later? We encourage parents to stay and participate in the parent program to gain information as a way to orient them to the Colby campus and community. There are two panels offered during the day culminating with a Reception with President Adams. We do ask though at the completion of the program at 4:15 p.m. parents do leave campus so that students can continue in the Orientation program. 2. When will I have down time to organize my room? There are breaks built into the schedule that serve as a perfect time to unpack and get things ready in your room. We also encourage students to arrive as close to 8:00 a.m. on the morning of September 1 to check in and utilize the time prior to the beginning of the Orientation program to get settled. 3. I am playing a fall sport when can I get into my room? Check-in for all students including athletes who are members of the Class of 2013 starts at 8:00 am on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 in the Pulver Pavilion located in the Cotter Union. This is the earliest that students can get into their rooms. 4. I am coming from a long distance, is there a way that I can send stuff ahead to store? There is not adequate space on campus for all students to send in all of their belongings beforehand. Students may send items that they are unable to bring with them to the Eustis Mailroom after August 14. The Eustis Mailroom will be open on Tuesday September 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for students to retrieve packages. The address is as follows: John Colby 5. I am flying into Portland, Bangor or another nearby airport, how do I get to campus? There are shuttle services that that offer discounted rates for Colby students during heavily traveled times of the year. More information, as well as driving directions, and hotel information to the College, can be found online at www.colby.edu/directions. 6. Can I move in early or arrive late to Orientation? The residence halls open on Tuesday, September 1 at 8:00 a.m. Once students have checked in they will be given their residence halls keys and be invited to move in. No early arrivals are allowed. If you need to arrive late please communicate with the Office of Campus Life so arrangements can be made. You can reach the Office of Campus Life 207-859-4280. Yes, Parking Permits are available free of charge in the Security Office located in Roberts Union. Cars without appropriate permits can be ticketed, and towed at the owner's expense. 8. Will there be anyone to help my family and me with moving all of my stuff in? Upperclassmen volunteer their time to assist first year students in moving in. They will assist you in moving your belongings from your vehicles into your room. 9. I would like an opportunity to become more familiar with the campus. Can I visit and walk around? The Office of Admissions holds information sessions and conducts tours throughout the summer. Contact the office at 1-800-723-3032 or check http://www.colby.edu/admissions_cs/visit/. The Office of Admissions also maintains on their website maps of campus at http://www.colby.edu/map 10. What cell phone coverage is available in the Waterville area? Most of the major carriers provide service in the Waterville area, though it would be best to confirm with the carrier about their service available in Maine, specifically in the Waterville area. Be sure to check regarding roaming charges. 11. Should additional insurance be purchased for personal belongings? The College will assume no liability directly or indirectly for loss of or damage to personal property by fire, theft, or any other cause. In addition, the College will assume no liability for items stored in trunk rooms during the course of the academic year or over the summer. Students should note that the College does not and cannot carry insurance to protect personal property and, as such, cannot be held liable in the event of students' property being lost or stolen from any College-owned or -maintained buildings. The college suggests that students should seek coverage for their belongings through their family homeowner's insurance policy or with a tenant's policy. 12. What should I do if I want to obtain a student job on campus? For students that are looking to work on campus please check Student Financial Services. Members of the class of 2013 can access this information through the Class of 2013 portal online. Select Student Financial Services under Campus Contacts. In order to process student employment applications normally two forms of identification such as birth certificates, passport and or drivers license are required. Also if the student would like to utilize direct deposit they will need to have their banking information as well. 13. I am transferring into Colby, is it required that I participate in Orientation and or COOT²? It is not required but highly recommended that you attend these programs. Orientation and COOT² are both considered essential parts of a Colby student getting acclimated to campus. 14. What is my ColbyCard and what is it used for? ColbyCard is the official ID used by students, faculty and staff at Colby. In addition to serving as an ID, it is also your library card, card used in the dining halls and card used to open your residence hall. The card can also be used for purchases across campus (bookstore, entertainment tickets, laundry, and other items ) . For first year students your photo will be taken during Orientation and your card will be ready for you when you return from COOT². For more information about the ColbyCard visit, http://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/financialservices/colbycard/index.cfm Academic Questions 1. I am nervous about my classes; who can I talk to? Your Academic Advisor is a great resource regarding your course schedule and academic requirements. He or she can also provide guidance and advice regarding academic life and success at Colby. We encourage you to seek out your advisor throughout the year. Your advisor is eager to help you succeed in your first year (and beyond) at Colby. All first year students meet with their academic advisors during Orientation. You will receive a schedule with the date and time of your meeting in your Orientation packet when you arrive on campus. At this meeting your advisor will review your course schedule and work with you to ensure that it is appropriate for your interests and goals.You should also seek help and guidance from the faculty teaching your classes. We strongly encourage you to meet with your faculty to discuss concerns about coursework as well as to keep abreast of your progress in class.You can also use your Advising Dean as a resource for academic concerns. Information regarding the advising dean program went out in a June mailing. If there are questions regarding this program or you did not receive your Advising Dean notification please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 207-859-4250 or dosoffice@colby.edu. 2. Will I be able to fulfill distribution requirements by the end of my sophomore year? We encourage you to work closely with your Academic Advisor to devise a plan for meeting your distribution requirements. With appropriate planning, you will be able to complete your distribution requirements within the recommended two year time frame. 3. When should I decide on a major? Students at Colby have the opportunity to declare a major or choose to remain "undeclared" in April of their first year. Students who choose to declare a major will have a new faculty advisor in their intended major. Students who choose to remain undeclared will keep their first year advisor until a major is declared in the sophomore year. Housing Questions 1. What are some common items that students bring to their room? Normally students bring televisions, refrigerators, storage crates, computers, and other personal items. Microwaves are allowed though there are microwaves provided in most of the residence halls as well. In thinking of bringing larger appliances be sure to coordinate with roommates as to who is bringing what to conserve space. Also students can rent mini-fridge/microwave combinations. If you have additional questions about what is allowed please refer to http://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/dos/housing/rooms 2. How does laundry work in the dorms? There is laundry available in each of the residence halls. The machines are activated by putting money on your Colby Card either at a Colby Card station or logging online at https://myaccounts.colby.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp to add money to your account as well. Funds can be easily added onto your ColbyCard with a Visa or MasterCard 3. Is there a way that I can get dimensions of the room? There is square footage provided at http://www.colby.edu/floorplans/. You will have to log in with your Colby ID and password in order to view floor plans of the residence halls. These are not able to be viewed on an apple computer. 4. When will I know my roommates? How should I contact them? A roommate mailing will go out around the middle of August. Feel free to contact your roommate via email, snail mail, or phone to introduce yourself. 5. How do I connect my computer to the internet? Colby provides for its students wireless and wired internet connections in the residence halls. Wireless internet is also available in the Colby Libraries, Cotter Union and many of the academic buildings on campus. When you arrive on campus Colby Computer Connect will be traveling around campus to meet you in your room and to assist with connecting your computer. Also they will be available through out Orientation to assist you. 7. Where do we eat? What if I have a special dining restriction? There are three dining halls on campus that provide a wide variety of meals for students. Roberts (Bob's), Foss and Dana each serve food daily. Not all dining halls are open during the weekends. Be sure to check myColby for menus and hours. If you have a special dining restriction be sure to contact Dining Services and they will be happy to work with you. You may contact Dining Services at http://www.colby.edu/campus_cs/dining_services 8. I have lost my keys? What do I do know? If you have lost your keys please go to the Office of Campus Life. They will help you get replacement keys. During the school year lost keys cost $50.00 to replace and $100.00 after the student has moved out of the room. The Office of Campus Life is normally open Monday –Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, if the student needs to get into their room after hours they can contact Security. 9. Why would I be billed for residence hall damage if I did not damage anything? Residential communities are created and maintained by students. Community Advisors work with residents to investigate residence hall damage and work to find those responsible. In the event that the responsible parties are not found the residence hall as a whole will be billed for the damage incurred. It is our expectation that all residents contribute to the building and maintaining of the community to include preventing and addressing damage. In the event that the damage is excessive, the Office of Campus Life will work with the residence hall and its leadership to provide additional support to help get the hall back on track. 10. I am not feeling well, where can I go on campus? The Garrison-Foster Health Center works to enhance the academic environment of Colby College by providing quality health care, health education, and preventative services to the Colby Community, particularly students, in a caring, cost effective, and convenient manner. The Health Center is open, during the academic year, daily with nurse coverage and clinic hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday thru Friday. Counseling Services are also available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-4:00 pm. A counselor is on call at Colby 24 hours a day when school is in session for situations after hours. Break Questions 1. When do I need to depart campus for breaks? Students have 24 hours after their last exam to depart campus. For more information be sure to read posted material within the residence hall as each break gets closer. 2. If I am an international student or live across the country can I stay on campus over breaks? There are designated breaks when students can stay on campus. If there are extenuating circumstances alternate arrangements can also be made. For these arrangements please contact your Advising Dean as soon as possible. For international students, please contact Susan McDougal, Associate Dean for International Students. 3. What should I do with my personal belongings over the summer? For students who live 750 miles or more away from campus, they may store belongings on campus. Furniture, carpets, electronics and large appliances are not permitted in the storage rooms. For more information about storage rooms please contact the Office of Campus Life. Information is also provided online in the guide for parents at http://www.colby.edu/alumni_parents_cs/parents/involved/sending.cfm at the bottom of the page. 4. My parents can't pick me up until after I am supposed to move out of my room. What should I do? For arrangements please contact your Advising Dean. Be sure to give your Advising Dean all the necessary information as they will work with the necessary departments to assist you with the proper arrangements. COOT² Questions 1. What if I want to change my mind on what COOT² trip I am interested in going on? With a reasonable amount of time requests can be looked into on a case by case basis. As we get closer to orientation it becomes harder to change due to logistical reasons. 2. I am not a huge fan of the outdoors; Do I have to go on a trip? COOT² trips are a mandatory part of Orientation. There are number of trips that while still being outdoors don't necessarily focus on the outdoors. A couple of the many opportunities include painting, theater, civil service and reality-theater. In general the excursion trips are located in areas close to modern conveniences. Most of these trips have access to showers, stores, etc. 3. Are COOT² trips safe? COOT² leaders are upperclassmen trained in outdoor safety and first aid. All leaders go through wilderness first aid and CPR training conducted by SOLO. Both leaders on each trip are briefed extensively on the risk management and group dynamics for their specific location. It is important to understand that no trip in the outdoors is free from risk. When trips are in the field the director of the program is on-call 24/7 to handle any incident that occurs. |